The starting lineup for the Gators went from a who’s-who hodgepodge to a consistent starting five that, above all, brings one thing to the Southeastern Conference schedule.
And that is experience.
The current starting lineup for the Gators (Sharielle Smith, Azania Stewart, Steffi Sorensen, Jordan Jones and Lonnika Thompson) boasts five players who all have prior SEC experience, including transfer Jones who sat out last year but was thrust into a starting role her freshman year against conference foes as a point guard for South Carolina.
It hasn’t been that way all season. Coach Amanda Butler has shuffled the starting lineup and has trotted out six different combinations throughout the season.
The most effective of those lineups has been the current one that holds a 5-3 record and has remained consistant the last seven games, including the three SEC games this season (2-1 record in those games).
But that doesn’t mean they are guaranteed anything.
“To be honest with you, it’s not really set,” Smith said. “It has been consistent the last couple of games, but I don’t think it’s set.
“Everybody knows if you, individually, if you don’t set the tone in one game or you don’t have necessarily some of your best play, there is an opportunity for other people to step up and take your position.”
Substitutes may come in quick and often for the Gators, and Florida’s starting five isn’t the most athletic or dominant rotation, but the one thing Smith seemed to associate with these starters was a high basketball IQ.
“This would be our smartest lineup,” she said. “It’s not necessarily about who’s quicker on defense, it’s more about who’s smarter on defense. The starting lineup out thinks a lot of other starting lineups.”
Generally, that starts with the point guard. Thompson set a career high in steals (seven) against Ohio on Dec. 28.
Thompson running the point has allowed Jones to move back to her natural shooting guard position. Jones leads the team in scoring, assists and steals.
A smaller front court featuring Stewart as the only player taller than 6 feet, at 6 foot 4, has been managed by Smith, Stewart and Sorensen.
Smith leads the team in rebounding with 7.3 boards per game and Stewart has improved her play over winter break, boosting her scoring and rebounding averages.
The toughness instilled in the players by Butler makes the others, besides Stewart, a rebounding threat despite their lack of size.
“We’re willing to all scrap and battle and fight for every loose rebound,” Sorensen said. “A big amount of pride of the first four minutes is the statement you make: you either get hit in the face, or you hit the other team in the face.”
